Ergonomic safety lock for cam lock fitting

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for an improved safety cam lock fitting having ergonomically designed double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on the inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space therein between. Various configurations of the cam portions relative to each other are provided. Various lever locking assemblies may be used to prevent the cam levers from being inadvertently opened.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/286,014 filed Feb. 26, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,473,249.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cam lock fittings and, moreparticularly, is concerned with a cam lock fitting having a pair ofdouble cam levers providing an ergonomic safety lock and a leverlatching mechanism thereon.

Description of the Related Art

Cam lock fittings having double cam levers have been described in therelated art, and, cam lock fittings having safety features have beendescribed in the related art. However, none of the related art devicesdisclose the unique features of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,694 to Vargo, dated Feb. 7, 1989, disclosed aquick-disconnect coupling. However, in use the coupling of Vargo wasplagued by the problem that its handles 64, 60 and 74, 68 could beinadvertently opened simultaneously by an operator, thus making itdangerous to use; this occurred because the handles were disposed inside-by-side relation as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The present inventionovercomes this problem by requiring that the outer handle 62 be openedprior to the inner handle 64. Vargo actually teaches away from thepresent invention because it relied on springs 50 to retain the safetyhandles 64, 68 in their locked positions unlike the present inventionwhich has outer and inner handles 62, 64 (See Vargo, Column 9, lines52-56).

U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,885 to Dixon, dated Feb. 17, 2015, disclosed a hosecoupling locking mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,271 to Dixon, dated May8, 2012, disclosed a hose coupling locking mechanism. U.S. Pat. No.6,543,812 to Chang, dated Apr. 8, 2003, disclosed a self-locking quickrelease coupler adapted to a groove adapter. U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,380 toLee, dated May 18, 1999, disclosed a pipe joint. U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,694to Fahl, et al., dated Aug. 11, 1998, disclosed a lock for coupling camarms. U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,942 to Moore, et al., dated Apr. 22, 1969,disclosed a retaining member for coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,190 toWilcox, et al., dated Aug. 1, 2000, disclosed a coupling with a femalehalf having internal pressure relief. U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,079 to Donais,et al., dated Jan. 26, 1999, disclosed a quick-connect, disconnectcoupling. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,217 to Gillen, et al., dated Jan. 21,1997, disclosed a dry break coupling assembly with a cam lockingconnection system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,017 to Aflin, et al., dated Aug.10, 1993, disclosed a restrictor valve for metered liquid dispensingsystem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,632 to Vogl dated Sep. 3, 1985, disclosed ashut-off valve for a fuel truck or tanker drain off having down spouts.U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,215 to Odar dated May 26, 1981, disclosed a vaporflow control valve. U.S. Pat. No. 3,1860,274 to Ledstrom, et al., datedJan. 14, 1975 disclosed a pipe coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,593 toLauffenburger disclosed a fluid conveying coupling with safety lockingdevice. U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,256 to Hartman dated Feb. 28, 2012 discloseda safety lock for a cam lock fitting. U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,004 to Hartmandated Dec. 12, 2006 disclosed a check valve for a cam lock fitting. U.S.Pat. No. 3,383,123 to Murray dated May 14, 1968 disclosed a linepressure responsive safety coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,069 dated Aug.16, 1994 to McCarthy disclosed a positively locking quick releasecoupling. U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,103 dated Jan. 21, 2014 to Fahie, et al.disclosed a lock for cam and groove coupler. U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,374dated Mar. 10, 1964 to Krapp disclosed a self venting separable couplingwith lock. U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,717 dated Mar. 22, 1994 to Chen discloseda tube connecting device that disclosed a lever latching mechanism. U.S.Pat. No. 5,435,604 dated Jul. 25, 2995 to Chen disclosed a tubeconnecting device that disclosed a lever latching mechanism. U.S. Pat.No. 8,083,265 dated Dec. 27, 2011 to Chen disclosed a tube connectingdevice that disclosed a lever latching mechanism.

While these devices related to cam lock fittings may be suitable for thepurposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable forthe purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. As willbe shown by way of explanation and drawings, the present invention worksin a novel manner and differently from the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved cam lock fitting havingcooperating ergonomically designed double cam levers having outer andinner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and theinner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the camlock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing theoperator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operatorobserves that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material.This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer camlever and a fork shaped smaller cam lobe on the inner cam lever so thatafter the outer cam lever has been opened and the smaller cam lobe is ina closed position and protrudes into the peripheral groove on the maleportion, the male and female ends have a small space therein betweenwhich allows the operator to visually observe any pressurized materialso that the operator can quickly reclose the fitting. Also disclosed areembodiments which provide alternative lever latching mechanisms thatmust be unlatched before the cam levers can be opened thereby preventingthe cam levers from being inadvertently opened. Alternative embodimentsare also provided for the configuration of the cam portions relative toeach other.

A major problem sought to be solved by the present invention occurs atthe time an operator of a conventional prior art cam lock fittingundertakes the operation of opening the fitting; at that time, theoperator may not know whether the contents of the conventional fittingare still under pressure, and if the contents are still under pressurethe contents will spew out when the conventional fitting is openedpossibly resulting in injury to the operator or an unwanted release ofmaterials to the environment. The present invention solves this problemby allowing the improved cam lock fitting to be only partially opened bymeans of a safety lock feature which allows the improved fitting to bereclosed if the operator observes that the contents inside the improvedfitting remain pressurized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cam lock fittinghaving a pair of cooperating double cam lock levers thereon. A furtherobject of the present invention is to provide a safety lock which can beeasily operated by a user as a part of the normal operation of a camlock fitting. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock which will remain locked when the cam lock fitting ispressurized. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock on a cam lock fitting which will prevent inadvertentpressurized discharges of environmentally damaging material from the camlock fitting. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock on a cam lock fitting which is simply constructed and whichcan be relatively inexpensively manufactured. A further object of thepresent invention is to provide a cam lock fitting having a pair ofcooperating double cam lock levers having a lever latching mechanismthereon.

A major advantage of the preset invention is that the cam members aredisposed substantially 180 degrees apart and therefore all forcesrelated to associated stress or torque resulting from using the cammembers are evenly distributed around a cam lock fitting designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention. Conventional camlock fittings using side-by-side cam members would not be expected toexhibit this characteristic.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from thedescription to follow. In the description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art cam lock fitting.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the double cam lever of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the double cam lever of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 are sectional views of a first embodiment of the presentinvention with certain parts shown in perspective for ease ofillustration.

FIGS. 11-13 are sectional views of a second embodiment of the presentinvention with certain parts shown in perspective for ease ofillustration.

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view taken from the front of portions of afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an end elevation view taken from the front of portions of asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view on the inner cam lever of a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a lever latching embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a lever latching embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23-24 are side elevation views of a lever latching embodiment ofthe present invention with certain parts shown cut-away for ease ofillustration.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the double cam lever of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an end elevation view of the double cam levers taken from thefront of portions of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an end elevation view of the double cam levers taken from thefront of portions of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a top view of the double cam lever of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the double cam lever of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa lever latching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a lever latchingmechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of a plate of an alternative embodimentof a lever latching mechanism of the present invention.

FIGS. 34-35 are side elevation views of an alternative embodiment of alever latching mechanism of the present invention with certain partsshown cut-away for ease of illustration.

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa lever latching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a lever latchingmechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a side elevation view of a plate of an alternative embodimentof a lever latching mechanism of the present invention.

FIGS. 39-40 are side elevation views of an alternative embodiment of alever latching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the double cam lever of a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a lever latching embodiment of a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 45-47 are sectional views of a third embodiment of the presentinvention with certain parts shown in perspective for ease ofillustration.

FIG. 48 is an end elevation view taken from the front of portions of athird embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a top view of each lever of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a top view of an alternative lever latching embodiment of thepresent invention showing the levers in an assembled disposition.

FIG. 55 is a side elevation view of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention shown in a closed position withcertain parts shown cut-away for ease of illustration.

FIG. 56 is a side elevation view of an alternative lever latchingembodiment of the present invention shown in an open position withcertain parts shown cut-away for ease of illustration.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is usedthroughout the drawings.

-   -   10 prior art cam lock fitting    -   12 female end portion    -   14 male end portion    -   16 front end    -   18 hose    -   20 band clamp    -   22 rear end    -   24 cam lever/ear    -   26 lever portion    -   28 cam portion    -   30 groove    -   32 opening    -   34 wall of cam lock fitting    -   36 axle    -   38 flange    -   40 gasket    -   42 boss    -   44 boss    -   46 centerline    -   48 an alternative double lever cam lock    -   50 an alternative double lever cam lock    -   52 an alternative double lever cam lock    -   54 cam lock fitting    -   56 female end portion/conduit    -   58 male end portion/conduit    -   60 front end    -   62 outer cam lever/ear    -   64 inner cam lever/ear    -   66 lever portion    -   68 cam lobe portion    -   70 lever portion    -   72 cam lobe portion    -   74 axle    -   76 aperture of cam lobe    -   78 boss    -   79 sidewall    -   80 boss    -   81 sidewall    -   82 aperture of boss    -   83 cross member    -   84 rear end    -   86 groove    -   88 opening    -   90 axle    -   92 aperture    -   94 aperture    -   96 cam lobe portion    -   98 circular gasket/seal    -   100 inside    -   102 wall    -   104 flange    -   106 space    -   108 arrow    -   110 cutout/space    -   112 rear portion    -   113 lever latching mechanism or lock assembly    -   114 pull ring member    -   116 end of pin    -   118 pin    -   120 aperture of pin    -   122 housing for pin    -   124 tip end of pin    -   126 inclined surface of pin    -   128 retaining protrusion    -   129 latch body/retaining member    -   130 retaining protrusion    -   131 notch    -   132 spring biasing member    -   134 finger of user    -   136 space    -   138 alternative embodiment double lever cam lock    -   140 alternative embodiment double lever cam lock    -   142 larger cam member with larger arm    -   144 smaller cam member with smaller arm    -   146 cylindrical spacer    -   147 latch mechanism or lock assembly    -   148 latch lever/arm    -   150 pivot    -   152 spring biasing means    -   154 thumb grip    -   156 first catch for outer ear    -   158 second catch for inner ear    -   160 cam member    -   162 cam member    -   164 boss    -   166 mount    -   168 plate    -   170 aperture of plate    -   172 offset    -   174 front inner surface    -   176 rear inner surface    -   178 latch mechanism or lock assembly    -   180 latch member/clip    -   182 pivot    -   184 clamp portion    -   186 plate    -   188 slot for ring    -   190 length    -   192 width    -   194 shield/hand guard    -   196 collar bushing/bushing    -   198 spacer    -   200 rear lip of inner cam lever    -   202 aperture

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment ofthe invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, aslimiting the invention to those particular embodiments sincepractitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous otherembodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of theinvention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. FIGS. 1-56illustrate the present invention wherein a cam lock fitting having apair of double cam levers which cooperate to provide a safety lockingmechanism is disclosed.

Turning to FIG. 1, therein is shown a prior art version of aconventional cam lock fitting generally indicated by reference number 10having a female end coupling portion or conduit 12 and a male endcoupling portion or conduit 14 each having a front end 16 which whenjoined together form a conduit through which fluid or the like willflow. A hose 18 having a band clamp 20 thereon is attached to a rear end22 of each female 12 and male 14 portions; hose 18 ranges in size fromabout one inch to about 8 inches and are generally heavy foraccommodating relatively high pressure. The female portion 12 has a pairof cam levers or ears 24 each having a lever portion 26 and a camportion 28 thereon, which cam portion locks the female end 12 to themale end 14 by seating the cam portion 28 of the female portion within aperipheral groove 30 on an exterior of the male portion so that the twoportions 12, 14 with hoses 18 are joined together to form a conduit sothat materials can pass therethrough. The cam portion 28 projectsthrough an opening 32 in the wall 34 near the front end 16 of the femaleportion 12 as the ears 24 pivot on axles 36. Direction arrows are usedto show movement of ears 24 between a closed position lyingsubstantially parallel to and adjacent the female portion 12 and an openposition outwardly moved away from the female portion 12 so as todisengage the cam portion from groove 30. Also shown on the inside ofthe female portion 12 is annular flange 38 having a flexible circulargasket or O-ring seal 40 therein wherein the flange and gasket extendentirely around the internal periphery of the female portion for makingsealing contact with the end 16 of the male end portion 14 in aconventional manner. The ears 24 are each mounted onto an axle 36extending through first, left and second, right bosses 42, 44 disposedon opposite sides of the female coupling 12. Centerline 46 of cam lockfitting 10 is also shown. A major disadvantage of the prior art cam lockfitting 10 is that it is designed to be either completely closed orcompletely open and therefore offers no safety locking mechanism.

Turning to FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41, therein are shown three embodiments48, 50, 52 of an improved cam lock fitting 54 of the present inventionwherein FIG. 2 shows embodiment 48; FIG. 3 shows embodiment 50; and FIG.41 shows embodiment 52. FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41 show a cam lock fitting 54similar in some respects to the prior art cam lock fitting 10, shown inFIG. 1, but with important differences due to the embodiments 48, 50, 52mounted thereon. Therein is shown a cam lock fitting 54 having a femaleend coupling portion or conduit 56 and a male end coupling portion orconduit 58 each having a front end 60 which when joined together form aconduit through which fluid or the like will flow. The present inventionoperates similarly to the prior art am lock fitting 10 shown in FIG. 1except that there are a total of four cam levers (i.e., two pairs ofdouble cam levers/ears) instead of two cam levers wherein the double camlevers cooperate with each other to provide a safety lock. Each of thecam lock fittings 54 shown in FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41 are similar to eachother, however, different embodiments 48, 50, 52 of cam lock levers aremounted thereon.

Turning to FIG. 2, therein is shown the embodiment 48 having a pair ofdouble cam levers or members 62, 64 mounted on opposite sides of thefemale end portion 56 wherein each pair has an outer cam lever 62 and aninner cam lever 64. Outer cam lever 62 has a lever portion 66 and aneccentric cam lobe portion 68, and, inner cam lever 64 also has a leverportion 70 and first and second eccentric cam lobe portion 72 whereinthe first and second cam lobe portions form the two prongs of a forkshaped portion being spaced apart a distance thereby creating a cutoutor space 110 sufficient to allow the cam lobe portion 68 to fit thereinbetween the two prongs which causes the inner and outer cam levers 62,64 to be disposed symmetrically about the female end portion 56 whichassures smooth operation throughout the life span of a cam lock fitting54 made according to the teachings of the present invention. The camlobe portion 72 resembles a fork shape when viewed from the top (seeFIG. 19) wherein the two similar first and second prongs/branches of thefork have cam lobe 68 disposed therein between in space 110; of course,the positions of the lobes 68, 72 could be reversed relative to eachother wherein the larger lobe portion 68 could be manufactured as theforked portion 72 so that the smaller lobe portion would be disposed onthe inside of the larger forked portion as shown in FIG. 18. The leverportion 66 of the outer cam ear 62 is larger, i.e., wider, than thelever portion 70 of the inner cam ear 64 so that it will be easier tograsp in the hands of an operator; also, the inner cam ear is notintended to be opened until after the outer cam ear is opened and havinga wider outer ear helps accomplish this objective. A lever latchingmechanism 113 for use with lever 62, 64 is described in FIGS. 20-24.

A single axle 74 passes through a substantially centrally disposedaperture 76 of cam lobe portion 68, 72 and the ends of the axle arecarried on first and second bosses 78, 80 by passing through an aperture82 of each boss. The male and female end portion 56, 58 each have a rearend portion 84 and the male end portion has an external peripheralgroove 86 thereon. The female end portion 56 has openings 88 in theopposing walls thereof through which cam lobes 68, 72 pass. Cam lobeportion 68 of outer cam ear 62 is configured differently and may belarger than cam lobe portion 72 of inner cam ear 64, as best shown onFIGS. 8-10 and FIG. 16, so that when the outer and inner ears 62, 64 areclosed the cam lobe portion 68 fits in or engages groove 86 so as tocompletely sealingly close or connect the male end portion 58 to thefemale end portion 56 because cam lobe 68 is substantially the same sizeand shape of the groove 86. This is due to cam lobe 68 being effectivelyconfigured, in size or shape, so as to engage groove 86 in such a way tocause the end 60 of male conduit 58 to move axially into a sealingposition relative to the sealing gasket inside female conduit 56. Incontrast, when the outer cam ear 62 with cam lobe 68 is opened and thesmaller cam lobe 72 is unopened, the male end portion 58 becomesslightly loosened or separated from the female end portion 56 to allow aspace to form between the front end 60 of the male end portion 58 andthe female end portion 56 as best shown and explained relative to FIGS.8-13, because smaller cam lobe 72 being smaller, i.e., being configureddifferently, than groove 86 doesn't completely fill groove 86 beingloose fit thereby causing a slight space to form between front end 60and the female end portion 56 as previously disclosed.

In summary of FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41, the female portion 56 has a pair ofdouble cam levers or ears 48, each having an outer and inner leverportion 66, 70 and a cam portion 68, 72 thereon, which cam portion locksthe female end 56 to the male end 58 by seating the cam portions 68, 72of the female portion within a groove 86 on the male portion so that thetwo portions are joined together. The cam portions 62, 64 projectthrough an opening 88 in the wall near the end 60 of the female portion56 as the ears 62, 64 pivot on axle 74. Also included in the femaleportion 56 is a gasket or O-ring seal 98 therein wherein the gasketextends entirely around the internal periphery of the female portion formaking sealing contact with the end 60 of the male end portion 58 in aconventional manner as shown in FIGS. 8-13 and 45-47. The ears 62, 64are each mounted onto an axle 74 extending through a first and secondboss 78, 80 mounted on opposite sides of female coupling 56. The innerand outer ears 62, 64 each move between a first downward closed positionlying substantially parallel to and adjacent the female portion 56 to asecond upward open position outwardly moved away from the female portionso as to disengage the cam portion 68, 72 from groove 86.

In order for an operator to open a cam lock fitting 54 designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention, the operator mustfirst move the outer cam lever 62 from the first downward closedposition to the second upward open position so that larger cam lobe 68is moved away from groove 86 so as to partially open the cam lockfitting 54 so as to partially relieve internal pressure contained insidethe cam lock fitting. If there is no pressure remaining in the cam lockfitting 54 the operator can continue with the next step of opening thesecond inner cam lever 64 to thereby separate the male and femaleconduit portions 58, 56 just as previously explained relative toembodiment 48 of FIG. 2. However, if there is still pressure inside thecam lock fitting 54 when the first outer cam lever 62 is opened, theoperator will immediately reclose that first outer cam lever 62 so as topull the male end portion 58 back into the locked position inside femaleend portion 56 so as to reclose and reseal the cam lock fitting.Pressure remaining inside cam lock fitting 54 could be indicated by thesound of escaping gas, a hissing sound, seepage, leaking or gurglingliquid or the like.

Turning to FIG. 3, therein is shown a view similar to FIG. 2 except thatanother embodiment 50 of the double cam lever is shown having doubleaxles 74, 90. The female and male end portions 56, 58 are essentiallythe same as shown in FIG. 2 with the main difference being that innercam ear 64 is mounted onto bosses 78, 80 using axle 90 in aperture 92which axle 90 is offset from the center of lobe 72 toward the front end60 of the female end portion 56 so as to be disposed toward the frontends of bosses 78, 80 in aperture 94 as best shown on FIGS. 6-7. Axle 90and apertures 92,94 are co-aligned as shown in FIG. 6. In thisconfiguration, while outer cam ear 62 pivots on substantially centrallydisposed axle 74 on cam lobe 72, it is carried with and moves outwardlywith inner cam ear 64 by having cam lobe portion 72 pivot on offset axle90 which is better illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 11-13. The operation ofembodiment 50 is similar to embodiment 48 and the steps of operationhave been previously disclosed relative to embodiment 48 of FIG. 2.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 6, and 42 the three embodiments 48, 50, 52 of animproved cam lock fitting of the present invention are exploded awayfrom a female end portion 56; wherein FIG. 4 shows embodiment 48, FIG. 6shows embodiment 50, and FIG. 42 shows embodiment 52. Shown therein isthe inside 100 of the female coupling 56 along with the alternativedouble cam levers 48, 50, 52 on opposite sides of the female end portion56 showing the bosses 78, 80 on the female coupling 56. Note that theopenings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of the camlobes of the present invention. The bosses 78, 80 are attached onto theoutside of the female coupling 56 in the conventional manner. Previouslydisclosed elements are also shown as were discussed relative to therespective embodiments 48, 50, 52 of FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41.

Turning to FIGS. 5, 7, and 43 an enlarged view of the cam portions ofthe three embodiments 48, 50, 52 are shown illustrating the features ofthe two embodiments as previously disclosed relative to the respectiveembodiments 48, 50, 52 of FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41. FIG. 5 shows singleaxle embodiment 48, FIG. 7 shows a double axle embodiment 50 and FIG. 43shows embodiment 52. FIG. 43 also shows dimension lines for length 190and width 192 on outer cam lever 62 and it is expected that the lengthand width of the outer cam lever 62 will be an effective amount greaterthan the length and width of the corresponding portions of inner camlever 64 causing outer cam lever 62 to have a greater surface area thaninner cam lever 64 to assist in preventing inner cam lever 64 from beinginadvertently opened before outer cam lever 62 and to prevent cam levers62, 64 from being inadvertently opened together and to insure that thefingers or hand of a user grasp outer cam lever 62 first to be sure itis opened prior to underlying inner cam lever 64. The neck area/portionof outer cam lever 62 may also be longer than the neck area/portion ofthe inner cam lever 64 as disclosed relative to other previouslydisclosed embodiments. Previously disclosed elements are also shown aswere discussed relative to the respective embodiments 48, 50, 52 ofFIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41.

Turning to FIGS. 8-13 and FIG. 45-47, therein is shown the steps ofoperation of the three embodiments 48, 50, 52 of an improved cam lockfitting 54 designed according to the teachings of the present inventionwherein FIGS. 8-10 shows embodiment 48, FIGS. 11-13 shows embodiment 50and FIGS. 45-47 shows embodiment 52. For each embodiment 48, 50, 52therein is shown the movement of the male end portion 58 relative to thefemale portion 56 as the cam lock fitting 54 of the present invention isbeing opened; the steps would be reversed for closure of the cam lockfitting. FIGS. 8, 11 and 45 show the male end portion 58 connected toand mated tightly to the female portion 56 as would be the conditionwhen the cam lock fitting 54 is in a sealed position with double camlever 62, 64 in a downward closed position so that the end 60 of themale end portion 58 is tightly sealingly engaged against the front sideof circular gasket 98 of the female end portion 56 with the lobes 68, 72or 96 in groove 86; also, the rear side of gasket 98 is tightly sealedagainst the front surface of the inner flange 104 of the female endportion 56.

In contrast, FIGS. 9, 12 and 46 shows the larger cam lobe of outer camlever 62 in the open position and shows the smaller cam lobe 72, 96 ofinner cam lever 64 remaining in the groove 86 and also shows the maleend portion 58 with a small space 106 being defined in between its end60 and the gasket 98 which would occur when the outer cam lever 62 is inan upward open position which would cause the ends 60 of female endportion 56 and male end portion 58 to slightly separate thereby allowingthe release of pressure or a small amount of material as indicated byarrows 108 from the inside of the female portion 56 of the cam lockfitting 54. Arrows 108 illustrate material/fluid moving into space 106and then out the fitting 54 by escaping between the male and femalecouplings 58, 56. FIGS. 10, 13 and 47 illustrate that the male end 58can only be completely released from the female end 56 when the outerand inner cam levers 62, 64 are both moved to the open position and whenthis occurs, each of the lobes 68, 72, 96 become disengaged from groove86 to allow the male 58 and female 56 end to be completely separatedfrom each other. Previously disclosed elements may also be shown.

Turning to FIGS. 14-15 and 48, the three embodiments 48, 50, 52 of animproved cam lock fitting of the present invention are shown mounted ona female end portion 56 also showing portions of the male end portion 58along with groove 86 in phantom line; wherein FIG. 14 shows embodiment48, FIG. 15 shows embodiment 50 and FIG. 48 shows embodiment 52. Showntherein is the inside 100 of the female coupling 56 along with thealternative double cam levers 48, 50, 52 on one side only of the femaleend portion 56 showing the bosses 78, 80 on the female coupling 56. Notethat the openings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of thecam lobes of the double levers of the present invention; also, it shouldbe clear that the lobes and levers could have many shapes andthicknesses other than those which are illustrated so long as they areeffectively sized and shaped to accomplish the teachings of the presentinvention all of which would be understood by one skilled in the art.The bosses 78, 80 are attached onto the outside of the female coupling56 in the conventional manner. In FIG. 15, the axles 74, 90 lie in thesame horizontal plane and therefore only the front axle 90 in aperture92 is visible in this drawing. Previously disclosed elements may also beshown as were discussed relative to the respective embodiments 48, 50,52 of FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 41.

Turning to FIGS. 16-17 and FIG. 49, enlarged views of the alternativedouble cam levers/ears of the three embodiments 48, 50, 52 are shownillustrating the features of the three embodiments as previouslydisclosed relative to the respective embodiments 48, 50, 52 of FIGS. 2-3and FIG. 41. FIG. 16 shows embodiment 48, FIG. 17 shows embodiment 50and FIG. 49 shows embodiment 52. In FIGS. 16,17, cam lobe 68 of outercam ear 62 is larger, i.e., having a larger radius on its rearperipheral portion 112 which is visible when closed, than cam lobe 72 ofinner cam ear 64 as shown at 112. In FIG. 49 cam lobe 68 of outer camear 62 is larger than cam lobe 96 of inner cam ear 64. Regarding FIGS.16-17 and FIG. 49, because cam portion 68 has a larger radius orenlargement on its rear portion 112 than cam portion 72, 96 as measuredat its horizontal plane through its central axle, it therefore isconfigured to extend further to the rear and effectively andsubstantially fills or engages the complimentarily sized groove 86causing a complete seal between the gasket 98 and the male end portion58 in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 45; however, afterthe outer cam lever/ear 68 has been opened and when the smaller cam lobeportion 72, 96 protrudes into groove 86 it doesn't completely fill thegroove so the space 106 is formed as shown in FIGS. 9, 12 and 46 betweenthe end 60 of the male end 58 and the gasket 98 of the female endportion 56. FIGS. 10, 13 and 47 show the female 56 and male 58 endscompletely separated with cam lever/ears 62, 64 in the open position.Also, FIG. 16-17 and FIG. 49 show outer cam lever 62 overlying inner camlever 64.

Turning to FIG. 18, therein is shown an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention showing the inner cam lever 64 being larger on itsrear peripheral portion 112 than the outer cam lever 62. Previouslydisclosed elements are also shown. FIG. 25 shows a top view of thealternative embodiment of FIG. 18 showing the inner cam lever 64 beinglarger than the outer cam lever 62.

Turning to FIG. 19, therein is shown a top view of the inner cam lever64 of the first embodiment of the present invention showing previouslydisclosed elements. Space/cutout 110 between the prongs of the forkedends of the cam lobe portions 72 is also shown. It can be seen that thecam lobe portions 72 form the prongs of the forked portion.

With reference to embodiments 48, 50 and 52, the cam members 62, 64pivot substantially in a vertical plane passing through the centerlineof the cam lock fitting/coupling 54 with the axles 74, 90 beingsubstantially perpendicular to the centerline, and, the cam members aredisposed on the bosses 78, 80 so that the cam lobes 68, 72, 96 and theaxles will be properly operationally aligned with the groove 86 asrequired by each embodiment 48, 50, 52 all of which would be understoodby one skilled in the art. The axles 74, 90 may be solid or hollow pins,roll pins or the like. Cam members 62, 64 are disposed substantially 180degrees apart on opposite sides of the female conduit 56 and thereforeall mechanical forces related to associated stresses or torque resultingfrom operation of the cam members are evenly distributed around the camlock fitting 54. This will prevent warping of the elements of thepresent invention over time.

Turning to FIGS. 20-24, therein is shown an embodiment of the presentinvention 10 which provides an automatic lever latching mechanismdisposed on levers 62, 64, generally indicated by reference numeral 113,so that when the levers 62, 64 are moved from an open position into aclosed position they become automatically latched in the closed positionso that before an operator opens the levers he will have to actuate amember or pull ring member 114 or the like in order to open the firstand second levers 62, 64, or as shown in FIG. 22, he would use the orpull ring 114 to open only one lever which would have the lever latchingmechanism or lock assembly 113 thereon. The lock assembly 113 would bein mechanical cooperation with the cam members 62, 64 to prevent theunintentional movement thereof. In either embodiment, the operator wouldhave to operate a lever latching mechanism 113 before he could open thelevers 62, 64 thereby preventing the cam levers from being inadvertentlyopened. Inner lever 64 is shorter than outer lever 62 for convenienceand ease of operation by the operator/user although they may be of thesame length. Previously disclosed elements are also shown as werediscussed relative to the respective embodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3.

Continuing with FIGS. 20-24, therein is shown the present invention 10having a pair of double cam levers 62, 64 mounted on opposite sides ofthe female end portion 56 wherein each pair has an outer cam lever 62and an inner cam lever 64. Outer cam lever 62 has a lever portion 66 andan eccentric cam lobe portion 68, and, inner cam lever 64 also has alever portion 70 and first and second eccentric cam lobe portions 72wherein the first and second cam lobe portions are fork shaped andspaced apart a distance thereby creating a cutout 110 or spacesufficient to allow the cam lobe portion 68 to fit therein between whichcauses the inner and outer cam levers 62, 64 to be disposedsymmetrically about the female end portion 56 which assures smoothoperation throughout the life span of a cam lock fitting 54 madeaccording to the teachings of the present invention 10. FIGS. 20, 21, 23and 24 discloses embodiment 48 which uses a single axle 74 whereas FIG.22 discloses embodiment 50 which uses double axles 74 and 90.

Turning to FIG. 20, therein is shown the present invention 10 explodedaway from the female end portion 56 and incorporates embodiment 48.Shown therein is the inside 100 of the female coupling 56 along with thedouble cam levers 48 on opposite sides of the female end portion 56showing the bosses 78, 80 on the female coupling 56. Note that theopenings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of the camlobes of the present invention. The bosses 78, 80 are attached onto theoutside of the female coupling 56 in the conventional manner. Male endportion 58 is also partially shown in phantom line. Previously disclosedelements are also shown as were discussed relative to the respectiveembodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3.

Also shown in FIG. 20, is a pull ring member 114 attached to an end 116of a pin 118 wherein the pull ring passes through a slot or aperture 120on an end of the pin which pin is slidably disposed in a housing 122attached onto a side of lever 62, 64 so that each lever 62, 64 has ahousing 122 and a pin 118 (pin 118 may be referred to as an engagementmember in the claims) mounted thereon. Pull ring member 114 may be amulti-turn wire ring being useful for manipulating levers 62, 64. Notethat the pin or engagement member 118 is mounted inside the housing 122so as to be slidably disposed in the housing so that the pin slidesalong the longitudinal axis of the levers 62, 64. The pin 118 also has asecond end or tip 124 having an inclined surface 126 thereon. The pin118 extends along and is slidable along an axis of a respective lever62, 64 so that when the levers 62, 64 are in a closed position the tip124 of pin 118 latches underneath the rear portion of upper and lowercorresponding retaining protrusions 128, 130 disposed on a rear portionof boss 78 as best seen in FIG. 23.

Continuing with FIGS. 20-24, when the respective members or pull ringmembers 114 of levers 62, 64 are pulled rearwardly toward end 84 offemale conduit 56 in the direction along the axis of the pin 118, thepin 118 is moved in a bore within the housing 122 against the biasingmember, being spring 132, as would be understood by one skilled in theart. In operation, when the levers 62, 64 are pivoted from the openposition to the locking position the inclined surface 126 of the tip ofthe pin 124 of each pin 118 eventually abuts against the rear uppersurface of retaining protrusion 128, 130 of the respective retainingprotrusions so that the tip 124 of the pin moves downwardly across thesurface of the respective retaining protrusions 128, 130 due to furtherpivoting movement of the corresponding lever 62, 64 so that the tip 124of pin 118 becomes eventually positioned underneath the respectiveretaining protrusions 128, 130 as the pin tip 124 is forced to beextended from the housing 122 due to the action of the internal spring132 shown on each lever 62, 64 as best seen in FIG. 23. In operation,when the operator desires to disengage or to open the levers 62, 64 andmove them from a closed position to an open position the pull rings 114are pulled toward the rear to retract the respective tips 124 of pins118 in levers 62, 64 back into the housing 122 against the biasingaction of the springs 132 so that the tips of pin 124 become disengagedfrom underneath the rear of the respective retraining protrusions 128,130 so that the levers 62, 64 can then be pivoted upwardly to anunlocked position so that the couplings 56, 58 of the present invention10 can be disengaged as best seen in FIG. 24. In this manner, the malecoupling 58 and female coupling 56 can become separated or disconnected,all of which would be understood by one skilled in the art.

Turning to FIG. 21, therein is shown the embodiment 48 which has beenpreviously disclosed in relation to FIG. 5 of the present invention 10shown in combination with the previously disclosed lever latchingmechanism 113.

Turning to FIG. 22, therein is shown the embodiment 50 which has beenpreviously disclosed in relation to FIG. 7 of the present invention 10shown in combination with the previously disclosed lever latchingmechanism 113.

Turning to FIGS. 22-24, therein are shown partially cut-away side viewsof the present invention 10 showing pull rings 114 disposed onrespective levers 62, 64 being attached through an aperture 120 in theend of respective pins 118 also showing the housing 122 along with thebiasing spring 132, or the like, wherein the tips 124 of the pin areshown along with the inclined surface 126 and respective retainingprotrusions 128, 130 disposed on boss 78. FIG. 23 shows the levers 62,64 in a closed position similar to FIG. 8, and, FIG. 24 shows the levers62, 64 in an open position similar to FIG. 10 wherein the pull rings 114of the levers 62, 64 have been operated and moved by a finger 134 of anoperator/user so that the tips of the pin 124 are no longer capturedunderneath the corresponding retaining protrusions 128, 130 of thebosses 78. Inner lever 64 is shorter than outer lever 62 for convenienceand ease of operation by the operator/user. Levers 62, 64 are configuredso that the tip 124 of lever 64 mates with the retaining protrusion 130and the tip 124 of lever 62 mates with retaining protrusion 128.Direction arrows are shown in certain figures to indicate movement ofthe elements.

Turning to FIG. 25, therein is shown a top view of the alternativeembodiment showing the inner cam lever 64 being larger than the outercam lever 62 as was previously disclosed with respect to FIG. 18. It canbe seen that inner arm 64 is configured, sized and shaped so that it canbe moved from the closed position to the open position without touchingor interference from the outer arm 62. This is accomplished by providinga space 136 between inner arm 64 and outer arm 62 which allows inner arm64 to substantially surround outer arm 62 so that the inner arm can beoperated without moving the outer arm. It can be seen that thelongitudinal central axis of the outer and inner cam levers 62, 64 aresubstantially co-aligned so that the axis of the outer lever is directlyabove the axis of the inner lever.

Turning to FIGS. 26, 28 and 30, therein is shown an alternativeembodiment 138 of an improved cam lock fitting of the present inventionshown mounted on a female end portion 56. Shown therein is the inside100 of the female coupling 56 along with the double cam levers 142, 144mounted on an axle 74 in a side-by-side relationship which axle is alsomounted on the bosses 78, 80 of the female coupling 56. Note that theopenings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of the camlobes 68, 72 of the double levers 142, 144 of the present invention;also, it should be clear that the lobes and levers could have manyshapes and thicknesses other than those which are illustrated so long asthey are effectively sized and shaped to accomplish the teachings of thepresent invention all of which would be understood by one skilled in theart. The bosses 78, 80 are attached onto the outside of the femalecoupling 56 in the conventional manner. It is expected that cam lever142 would have the larger cam lobe 68 thereon relative to the cam lobe72 but one skilled in the art would understand that these could bereversed. Alternative embodiment 138 shows a cam member 144 disposedadjacent a first boss 80, wherein a spacer 146 is disposed on the axle74 adjacent the second boss 78, wherein the first cam member 142 isdisposed between the other cam member 144 and the spacer 146. FIG. 28shows the ear or arm portion 66 of lever 142 being larger and disposedover ear portion 144 so that the ear or arm portion 66 of lever 142 isoutside relative to ear portion 70 of lever 144 as best shown in FIG.30. Thus, lever¹⁴² may be referred to as an outer lever and lever 144 asan inner lever. In order to accomplish this the neck area or portionbetween the cam lobe portion and the arm/lever portion of the outerlever may be shaped differently and be longer to extend further awayfrom or be more vertically angled relative to housing 56 and someexperimentation may be necessary to find the optimum shape, length orangle for the neck areas. The lever arm portion 66 of the outer cam ear142 is larger, i.e., wider, than the lever portion 70 of the inner camear 144 so that it will be easier to grasp in the hands of an operator,also, the inner cam ear is not intended to be opened until after theouter cam ear is opened and having a wider outer ear helps accomplishthis objective. A cylindrical spacer 146 is also shown mounted on theaxle so as to cause the larger cam lever 142 to be precisely alignedwith its corresponding larger cam lever 142 mounted on the opposite sideof the female coupling 56 so as to balance all structural torques andforces so as to prevent warping of the housing 56 or axle 74 which mayoccur with conventional designs over a period of time. FIG. 30 shows anoptional latch mechanism or lock assembly 147 useful for embodiment 138including a latch arm or lever 148 which moves on a pivot 150 disposedon a pair of mounts 166 which lever is biased closed by spring 152. Alsoshown is thumb grip 154 to allow a user to actuate the lever 148 alongwith a first catch 156 for the larger ear 142 and a second catch 158 forsmaller ear 144. In operation, the latch arm or lever arm 148 must bemoved from the closed position to an open position before the cam levers142, 144 can be operated. Previously disclosed elements may also beshown.

Turning to FIGS. 27 and 29, therein is shown an alternative embodiment140 of an improved cam lock fitting of the present invention shownmounted on a female end portion 56. Shown therein is the inside 100 ofthe female coupling 56 along with the double cam levers 160, 162 mountedon an axle 74 in a side-by-side relationship which axle is also mountedon the bosses 78, 80, and 164 of the female coupling 56. Note that theopenings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of the camlobes 68, 72 of the double levers 160, 162 of the present invention;also, it should be clear that the lobes and levers could have manyshapes and thicknesses other than those which are illustrated so long asthey are effectively sized and shaped to accomplish the teachings of thepresent invention all of which would be understood by one skilled in theart. The bosses 78, 80, and 164 are attached onto the outside of thefemale coupling 56 in the conventional manner. It is expected that camlever 160 would have the larger cam lobe 68 thereon relative to the camlobe 72 but one skilled in the art would understand that these could bereversed. FIG. 29 shows the ear or arm portion 66, 70 disposed in aside-by-side relationship with cam member 160 disposed between boss 80and boss 164 and cam member 162 disposed between boss 78 and boss 164.The cam member 160, 162 are precisely aligned with its corresponding cammember on the opposite side of the female coupling 56 so as to balanceall structural torques and forces so as to prevent warping of thehousing 56 or axle 74 which may occur with conventional designs over aperiod of time. Having the third boss 164 assures that all structuraltorques and forces are balanced so as to prevent warping of the housing56 or axle 74. FIG. 30 shows an optional latch mechanism 147 useful forembodiment 140 including a latch arm or lever 148 which moves on a pivot150 which pivot is biased closed by spring 152. Also shown is thumb grip154 to allow a user to actuate the lever 148 along with a first catch156 or catch 158. In operation, the latch lever arm 148 must be movedfrom the closed position to an open position before the cam levers 160,162 can be operated. Alternatively, the latch mechanism 113 disclosed inFIGS. 20-24 could be easily adapted for use with cam members 160, 162.Previously disclosed elements may also be shown.

Turning to FIGS. 31-35, therein is shown an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention 10 which is similar in operation to the embodimentpreviously disclosed relative to FIGS. 20-24 except that instead of theretaining protrusions 128, 130 being disposed on a rear portion of boss78 they are disposed on a rear portion of a separate latch plate 168which plate is mounted beside or adjacent the boss 78 in the verticalplane so as to be disposed between the nearer cam lobe portion 72 of camlever 64 and boss 78 and being carried on axle 74 which axle passesthrough aperture 170 of the plate 168. Plate 168 has an offset 172 so asto align protrusions 128, 130 with tip 124 of pin 118 so as to avoidboss 78 as best seen in FIGS. 31 and 33. Plate 168 is prevented fromrotating about axle 74 in the vertical plane by having its front andrear inner surfaces 174, 176, respectively, contact the outer surface ofwall 102 of female end portion/conduit 56 which wall 102 serves as astop as best seen in FIG. 35. Plate 168 is relatively thin and could bemade of many types of material so as to be strong, durable andlightweight such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel or the like. Alsoshown on FIG. 31 is arm 62 having a conventional round pull ring member114 made of multi-strands of wire and which is commonly used. FIG. 32shows outer handle 62 overlying inner handle 64 and having a greatersurface area. Previously disclosed elements are also shown.

Turning to FIGS. 36-40, therein is shown an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention 10 which is similar in operation to the embodimentpreviously disclosed relative to FIGS. 31-35 except that instead of thetwo retaining protrusions 128, 130 being disposed on a rear portion ofseparate latch plate 168, the plate 186 has only one retainingprotrusion 130 disposed thereon. The purpose of this embodiment is toreduce the weight and costs of manufacturing the present invention 10.Furthermore, outer cam lever 62 has no housing 122 or pin 118 on itsside but instead uses an optional latch mechanism or lock assembly 178including a latch arm, clip or member 180 which member has one end whichmoves on a pivot 182 disposed on a rear portion of outer cam lever 62and a second end having a spring steel portion forming a clampingportion or clamp 184 for frictionally engaging or mating with an innersurface of inner cam lever 64 so that that outer cam lever 62 isclamped/latched to inner cam lever 64 by using latch mechanism 178. Alsosee that housing 122 and pin 118 are shortened on inner cam lever 64. Inoperation, the latch member or clip 180 must be swung or moved from theclosed position to an open position before the cam lever 62 can bereleased from cam lever 64 and thereby operated and opened as best seenin FIGS. 39-40. One skilled in the art would also understand that thelatch mechanism or lock assembly 147 shown relative to FIGS. 28 and 30could be adapted for use instead of latch mechanism or lock assembly 178with this alternative embodiment shown relative to FIGS. 36-40 whichwould allow the latch mechanism 178 to be removed from theseembodiments. Previously disclosed elements are also shown.

Turning to FIG. 41, therein is shown a view similar to FIG. 2 exceptthat another embodiment 52 is shown. The female and male end portions56, 58 are essentially the same with the main difference being thatinner cam ear 64 has only a single cam lobe portion 96 that lies in aside by side relationship relative to cam lobe portion 68 of the outercam ear 62 wherein the cam lobe portions 68, 96 are mounted on andspaced along a single, substantially centrally disposed axle 74 whichaxle 74 is mounted on bosses 78, 80 so that the cam lobes 68, 96 canpass through opening 88 so as to contact groove 86 on the male endportion 58. The operation of embodiment 52 is similar to embodiment 48and the steps of operation have been previously disclosed relative toembodiment 48 of FIG. 2 in that outer lever 62 is mounted generally inoverlying relation outside inner lever 64 and must be opened firstbefore inner lever 64 is opened because inner lever 64 is mountedgenerally underneath so as to be in underlying relation to outer lever62, thus, the longitudinal centerline of outer lever 62 is farther awaytoward the outside from the centerline 46 of female coupling 56 than thelongitudinal centerline of inner lever 64. The cam lobe portions 68, 96are mounted so that a face of one is contiguous with a face of theother.

Turning to FIG. 44, therein is shown embodiment 52 as previous discussedshowing embodiment 52 having similar elements as previously discussedrelative to embodiment 48 of FIG. 21. Also shown is a horizontal slot188 provided across the entire width of the end of cam levers 62, 64 forforming a receptacle for receiving a portion of ring member 114 thereinfor securing the ring member to prevent it from flopping around looseand becoming possibly tangled with other equipment and also to maintainthe angled surfaces 126 of pin tips 124 in a proper downward dispositionso as to properly and easily contact the retaining protrusions 128, 130(not shown, see FIGS. 23, 24). The slots 188 could be used with any ofthe embodiments related to the present invention including embodiments48, 50. The lever latching mechanism or lock assembly 113 assist inpreventing inner cam lever 64 from being inadvertently opened beforeouter cam lever 62 and to prevent cam levers 62, 64 from beinginadvertently opened together.

Turning to FIG. 50, therein is shown embodiment 52 as previous discussedshowing embodiment 52 having similar elements as previously discussedrelative to FIG. 49 and additionally having a downwardly disposed handguard, elbow or shield 194 on the end of outer cam lever 62 to assist inpreventing inner cam lever 64 from being inadvertently opened beforeouter cam lever 62 and to prevent cam levers 62, 64 from beinginadvertently opened together. Hand guard 194 is intended to insure thatthe fingers or hand of a user grasp outer cam lever 62 first to be sureit is opened prior to grasping inner cam lever 64.

Turning to FIGS. 51 to 56, therein is shown a preferred alternativeembodiment of the present invention 10 similar to that which was shownin FIGS. 41-50 with the main differences being that the pin housings 122are mounted on the inner side, underside or inside of the levers 62 and64, i.e., on the side of the levers oriented toward the housing 56 asplainly shown in FIGS. 45, 46, and, the retaining protrusion 128 ismounted on a latch body 129 as opposed to a boss 78, 80. Thisconfiguration allows the pins 118, springs 132, and pin housing 122 tobe similarly sized so as to reduce costs associated with manufacturingthe present invention 10. Also, no more than one cam lobe portion 68, 96is shown on each lever 62, 64. A person skilled in the art wouldunderstand how the embodiment shown in FIGS. 51 to 56 can be usedaccording to the teachings of the present invention 10 as has beenpreviously taught in this specification.

Also shown in FIG. 51 is latch body/retaining member 129 mounted ontothe outer surface of the female coupling 56 proximate to inner lever 64having a retaining protrusion 128 thereon along with a notch 131 forreceiving the tip 124 of pin 118 of the inner cam lever 64 when in theclosed or locked position. An isolated detail view also shows analternative design for the retaining member/latch body 129 whichincludes an aperture 202 for receiving the tip of pin 124 of the innercam lever 64 when in the locked position. Previously disclosed elementsare also shown. Also shown is an isolated detail view showing analternative design for the latch body/retaining member 129, which servesthe same purpose as the previously disclosed latch body/retainingmembers 129, including opposing sidewalls 79, 81 which are formed by arearward extension from bosses 78, 80, respectively, for supporting across member 83 which extends between the rearwardly extending sidewalls79, 81 to provide a structure for supporting an aperture 194 forreceiving the tip 124 of pin 118 as previously taught and disclosedherein. Furthermore, an alternative design to the aperture 194 would beto simply put a notch similar to the notch 131 of retaining protrusion128 so that the notch could be used in place of the aperture 194. Alsonote, that arm 62 has a round pull ring member 114 thereon similar tothat disclosed relative to FIG. 31.

FIG. 52 shows elements similar to those previously disclosed relative toFIGS. 21,44 and 51.

Turning to FIG. 53, therein are shown previously disclosed elements.Also disclosed are collar bushings, or bushing, 196 disposed on each endof the bore of the pin housing 122 of the levers 62, 64 which bushingscarry the pin 118 to allow it to smoothly slide back and forth in thebore of each of the pin housings 122. Rear bushing 196 is press fit tothe inside of the bore and the front bushing is press fit to, or made asa part of, the pin 118 and slides in the bore along with the pin 118 toassure smooth operation. Note that arm 62 of FIG. 53 has a pull ringmember 114 which is made in the shape of a conventional metal springclip hook which is commonly used on a lanyard or key chain. Note thatarm 64 of FIG. 53 has a pull ring member 114 which is made in the shapeof a paperclip having straight sides and rounded ends. Obviously, thereare other shapes of pull ring members 114 which could be used with thepresent invention 10.

Turning to FIG. 54, therein is shown a assembled view of the levers 62,64 similar to FIG. 53 illustrating that the levers 62, 64 aresubstantially axially aligned to prevent unintentional movement of thelevers 62, 64 from the closed position to the open position aspreviously disclosed. Note that arm 62 of FIG. 54 has a pull ring member114 having a diameter relatively larger than the pull ring member 114 ofarm 64 disposed underneath wherein the diameter of pull ring member 114of arm 62 is substantially wider being approximately two times as largeas the width of arm 62. However, the width of pull ring member 114 onarm 64 disposed underneath arm 64 has a width approximately the same as,being slightly more or less, than arm 64 which makes it very difficultfor a user to open the inner arm 64 and outer arm 62 at the same timebut instead assures that the outer arm 62 will be opened before theinner arm 64 due to the fact that when arms 62, 64 are in the closedposition, the user's fingers 134 grasp the pull ring member 114 of theouter arm 62 first. After the outer arm 62 is opened, then the fingers134 of the user can easily grasp the pull ring member 114 of the innerarm 64 to open arm 64.

It should be clear that the pull ring member 114 can be made in variousshapes, including round (see FIGS. 31 and 51, arm 62, pull ring member114), a clip (see FIG. 53, arm 62, pull ring member 114), a papercliphaving straight sides and rounded ends (see FIG. 53, arm 64, pull ringmember 114) and, being rounded on one end and squared on the other (seeFIG. 51, arm 64, pull ring member 114). The various shapes and sizes ofthe pull ring member 114 provide a unique and novel ergonomic feature tothe present invention which has heretofore not been used in this fieldof art of cam lock fittings but which provide a major advantage of thepresent invention over the prior art. In short, when viewed from aboveor from a top view, the present invention has an inner arm 64 pull ringmember 114 which has a narrow profile (i.e., a smaller width ordiameter) relative to the outer arm 62 pull ring member 114 which has alarger diameter pull ring member 114 thereon, so that relativelyspeaking the outer arm 62 has a much wider profile than the inner arm 64to ensure that the outer arm 62 is opened before inner arm 64. From anergonomic viewpoint, the present invention 10 accomplishes this bymaking it more difficult to grip the inner pull ring member 114 on innerarm 64 relative to the pull ring member 114 of outer arm 62.

Experimentation has shown that the ergonomic design of the arms 62, 64of the present invention 10 encourages the user to consciously visuallylook at the fitting/arms to separate/uncouple the female end 56 of thefitting as opposed to the prior art which can simply be opened by feelwithout looking at the fitting, thereby leading to the user becomingcareless in the operation of prior art fittings which can lead toaccidents and spills. The present invention 10 thereby creates a saferworking environment for the operator as opposed to the prior art.

Turning to FIG. 55, therein are shown previously disclosed elements.Also shown is the manner in which the pin 118 of outer lever 62 connectsto the rear lip 200 of inner cam lever 64 when the levers 62, 64 are inthe closed position. It should be clear that the inclined surface 126 ofpin 118 of the outer lever 62 slides over and is secured to the bottomsurface of the inner surface of the rear lip 200 of inner cam lever 64while at the same time the tip 124 of pin 118 of the inner cam lever 64connects to and is secured to the notch 131 in the latch body 129 bypassing over the retaining protrusion 128 so as to securely lock levers62, 64 to the female conduit 56. The pins 118 of the inner and outerlevers 62, 64 are each shown in locking position. The rings 114 of thelevers 62, 64 are prevented from rotating so as to disorient theinclined surfaces of pins 118 relative to protrusion 128 by being placedin close proximity to the underside of the levers 62, 64. Also shown isan optional protrusion or spacer 198 placed underneath the inner lever64 which may be used to space the inner lever 64 apart from the outersurface of the female conduit 56.

Turning to FIG. 56, therein are shown previously disclosed elementswhile also showing how a finger of a user 134 or a thumb and indexfinger can be used to grasp the pull ring member 114 and pull it to therear so as to open the levers 62, 64 and to move them from the closed(locked) position as shown in FIG. 45 to the open (unlocked) position asshown in FIG. 46. It would also be understood by one skilled in the art,that the pull ring 114 of the inner lever 64 cannot be grasped by afinger 134 and opened, prior to the pull ring 114 of the outer lever 62being grasped to thereby first open the outer lever 62 because the pullring 114 of the inner lever 64 is underneath the outer lever 62 andcannot be easily grasped. This is so because the centerlines, orlongitudinal axes, of the levers 62, 64 are positioned so as to beover/under each other or inside/outside each other and may be spoken ofas being in aligned relation. Also illustrated in FIGS. 55-56 is anenlargement on the rear portion of cam lobe 68 as previously disclosed.

By way of additional summary and with reference to FIGS. 1-56, thepresent invention may be described as a cam lock fitting 54, a) having amale conduit 58 having an end 60 thereon and an external peripheralgroove 86 adjacent the end, b) having a female conduit 56 for receivingthe male conduit and having a pair of opposed side openings 88 oppositethe external peripheral groove, c) sealing at 98 between the end of themale conduit and the female conduit, d) having a first and second pairof cam members, each pair having first (outer) 62 and second (inner) 64cam members so that there are a total of four cam members, a pair, i.e.,two, of the cam members being pivotally disposed on opposite sides ofthe female conduit, each cam member having a lever portion 66, 70, whichincludes what may be referred to in the claims as a lever arm foractuation thereof by an operator which identifies a part of the leverportion 66, 70 that an operator would actually grasp with a hand orfinger, lying adjacent the female conduit and a cam portion 68, 72 witha larger or more effectively sized or shaped cam portion on the first(outer) cam member 62, wherein the cam portions pass through the sideopenings and engage the external peripheral groove when the leverportion lies adjacent the female conduit in a first, closed position(see FIGS. 8 and 11), each lever portion being outwardly moveable awayfrom the female conduit to a second, open position to disengage the camportions from the external peripheral groove (see FIGS. 10 and 13), e)the male and female conduits being connected thereby preventing leakagethereinbetween when each of the lever portions are in the first position(see FIGS. 8 and 11); and, f) the male and female conduits beingslightly separated, i.e., are loose fit, thereby allowing leakagethereinbetween when the lever portions of the first cam members are inthe second position and the lever portions of the second cam members arein the first position (see FIGS. 9 and 12), wherein if leakage isobserved by an operator the lever portions of the first cam members aremoved back to the first position to permit the male and female conduitsto be reconnected.

Further, wherein the cam portions of the second cam members may beforked (see FIG. 19), the forks having a space 110 thereinbetween,wherein the cam portions of the first cam members are pivotally disposedin a respective space wherein the first and second cam members pivot ona first axle 74, or, wherein the first cam members pivot on a first axle74 and the second cam members pivot on a second axle 90. In analternative embodiment, the inner cam lever 64 is larger than the outercam lever 62. In alternative embodiment 52, the cam lobes 68, 96 aredisposed in a side-by-side relation (see FIG. 48) while other elementsremain generally the same. Also having a latching mechanism or lockassembly 113 having retaining protrusions 128, 130 mounted adjacent eachof the side openings and a pin housing 122 attached to each leverportion of each cam member, a spring 132 loaded pin or engagement member118 within each pin housing which urges a distal end 124 of the pin intoengagement or mechanical cooperation with one of the retainingprotrusions to prevent each of the lever portions from beingunintentionally moved from the closed position to the open position, anda pull member or member usable by an operator 114, or the like, inmechanical cooperation with or attached to a proximal end 116 of thepins to allow an operator to withdraw the pin from engagement ormechanical cooperation with a retaining protrusion allowing each leverportion to be moved from the closed position to the open position.

Alternative embodiment 138 shows a cam member 144 disposed adjacent afirst boss 80, wherein a spacer 146 is disposed on the axle 74 adjacentthe second boss 78, wherein the first cam member 142 is disposed betweenthe other cam member 144 and the spacer 146. Alternative embodiment 140shows the first cam member 160 disposed between the first 80 and secondboss 154, wherein the second cam member 162 is disposed between saidsecond 154 and third boss 78. A latch mechanism or lock assembly 147could be used with embodiment 138 or 140. Additional alternativeembodiments are shown in FIGS. 31-35 wherein plate 168 is used forlatching outer cam lever 62 and inner cam lever 64 to female end portion56 and in FIGS. 36-40 wherein plate 186 replaces plate 168 and latchmechanism or lock assembly 178 is used to latch outer arm 62 to innerarm 64. An additional alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 51-56where therein is shown a preferred alternative embodiment of the presentinvention 10 similar to that which was shown in FIGS. 41-50 with themain differences being that the pin housings 122 are mounted on theinner side, underside or inside of the levers 62 and 64, i.e., on theside of the levers oriented toward the housing 56 as plainly shown inFIGS. 55, 56, and, the retaining protrusion 128 is mounted on a latchbody 129 as opposed to a boss 78, 80. Lever 62 of FIG. 54 has a pullring member 114 having a diameter relatively larger than the pull ringmember 114 of arm 64 disposed underneath wherein the diameter of pullring member 114 of lever 62 is substantially wider making it moredifficult to grip the inner pull ring member 114 on inner arm 64relative to the pull ring member 114 of outer arm 62.

We claim:
 1. An ergonomic cam lock fitting, comprising: a) a male and afemale conduit, said male and female conduits adapted for beingconnected to each other, said male conduit having an end thereon and anexternal peripheral groove adjacent said end, said female conduit havingan end thereon and an internal seal disposed therein adjacent said end,wherein said end of said male conduit contacts said seal of said femaleconduit thereby preventing leakage when said male and female conduitsare connected to each other; b) a first and a second pair of cammembers, each pair having first and second cam members, a pair of saidcam members being pivotally disposed on opposite sides of said femaleconduit, each said cam member having a lever portion and a cam portion,wherein each said cam portion is adapted to pivot through an opening ina wall of said female conduit and into said external peripheral grooveso as to removably join said male conduit to said female conduit,wherein each said cam member has a closed position when said male andfemale conduits are connected to each other and an open position whensaid male and female conduits are disconnected from each other; c) eachsaid second cam member having an inner lever portion and each said firstcam member having an outer lever portion, wherein said inner leverportion and said outer lever portion are substantially axially aligned;d) a first pull ring member disposed on said outer lever portion and asecond pull ring member disposed on said inner lever portion for movingsaid first and second cam members from said closed position to said openposition, wherein said first pull ring member is larger than said secondpull ring member as would be seen in a top view so that said inner leverportion is more difficult to open than said outer lever portion; e)wherein one said cam portion is disposed on said first and second cammember, said one said cam portions of said first and second cam membersbeing disposed in side-by-side side relation so that a face of said onesaid cam portion of said first cam member is contiguous with a face ofsaid one said cam portion of said second cam member; and f) wherein wheneach said cam member is in said closed position, said inner leverportion is configured to mechanically cooperate with a retaining memberdisposed on said female conduit and said outer lever portion isconfigured to mechanically cooperate with said inner lever portion toprevent unintentional movement of each said cam member from said closedposition to said open position.
 2. The cam lock fitting of claim 1,further comprising a pin disposed on each said lever portion of saidfirst and second cam members, each said pin being biased for urging saidpin into a locking position to prevent the unintentional movement ofsaid first and second cam members from said closed position to said openposition.
 3. The cam lock fitting of claim 2, wherein said pin on eachsaid inner lever portion engages said retaining member and said pin oneach said outer lever portion engages a rear end of said inner leverportion to prevent the unintentional movement of said first and secondcam members from said closed position to said open position.
 4. The camlock fitting of claim 3, further comprising a housing for containingsaid pin disposed on an underside of each said lever portion, each saidhousing having a bore therein wherein said pin slides in said bore. 5.The cam lock fitting of claim 4, wherein each said pull ring memberactuatable by an operator and mechanically cooperating with said pin toallow an operator to move said pin for moving said first and second cammembers from said closed position to said open position.
 6. A method forassembling an ergonomic cam lock fitting, comprising the steps of: a)providing a male and a female conduit adapted for connection to eachother, the male conduit having an end thereon and an external peripheralgroove adjacent the end, the female conduit having an end thereon and aninternal seal disposed therein adjacent the end, wherein the end of themale conduit contacts the seal of the female conduit thereby preventingleakage when the male and female conduits are connected to each other;b) providing a first and a second pair of cam members, each pair havingfirst and second cam members, disposing a pair of the pivoting cammembers on opposite sides of the female conduit, each cam member havinga lever portion and a cam portion, wherein each cam portion is adaptedto pivot through an opening in a wall of the female conduit and into theexternal peripheral groove so as to removably join the male conduit tothe female conduit, wherein each cam member has a closed position whenthe male and female conduits are connected to each other and an openposition when the male and female conduits are disconnected from eachother; c) providing an inner lever portion on each second cam member andan outer lever portion on each first cam member, and substantiallyaligning the axes of the inner and outer lever portions; d) providing afirst pull ring member on each outer lever portion and a second pullring member on each inner lever portion for moving the first and secondcam members from the closed position to the open position, wherein thefirst pull ring member is larger than the second pull ring member aswould be seen in a top view so that the inner lever portion is moredifficult to open than the outer lever portion; e) providing one camportion on the first and second cam member so that the one cam portionof the first and second cam members are disposed in side-by-siderelation so that a face of the one cam portion of the first cam memberis contiguous with a face of the one cam portion of the second cammember; and f) configuring the inner lever portion to mechanicallycooperate with a retaining member provided on the female conduit andconfiguring the outer lever portion to mechanically cooperate with theinner lever portion when the first and second cam members are in theclosed position to prevent unintentional movement of the first andsecond cam members from the closed position to the open position.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a pin oneach lever portion of the first and second cam members, each pin beingbiased for urging the pin into locking position to prevent theunintentional movement of the first and second cam members from theclosed position to the open position.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe pin on each inner lever portion engages the retaining member and thepin on each outer lever portion engages a rear end of the inner leverportion to prevent the unintentional movement of the first and secondcam members from the closed position to the open position.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising the step of providing a housing on anunderside of each lever portion for containing the pin, each housinghaving a bore therein wherein the pin slides in the bore.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein each said pull ring member actuatable by an operatorand mechanically cooperating with the pin to allow an operator to movethe pin for moving the first and second cam members from the closedposition to the open position.
 11. An ergonomic cam lock fitting,comprising: a) a male conduit having an end thereon and an externalperipheral groove adjacent said end; b) a female conduit adapted forconnection to said male conduit and having a pair of opposed sideopenings disposed opposite said external peripheral groove when saidmale and female conduits are connected to each other; c) a seal forsealing between said male conduit and said female conduit; d) a firstand second pair of cam members, each pair having first and second cammembers, a pair of said cam members being pivotally disposed on oppositesides of said female conduit, each said cam member having a leverportion and a cam portion, wherein said cam portions pass through saidside openings and engage said external peripheral groove when said leverportions lie adjacent said female conduit in a closed position, eachlever portion being outwardly moveable away from said female conduit toan open position to disengage said cam portions from said externalperipheral groove; e) each said second cam member having an inner leverportion and each said first cam member having an outer lever portion,wherein said inner lever portion and said outer lever portion aresubstantially axially aligned; f) a first pull ring member disposed onsaid outer lever portion and a second pull ring member disposed on saidinner lever portion for moving said first and second cam members fromsaid closed position to said open position, wherein said first pull ringmember is larger than said second pull ring member as would be seen in atop view so that said inner lever portion is more difficult to open thansaid outer lever portion; g) wherein one said cam portion is disposed onsaid first and second cam member, said one said cam portions of saidfirst and second cam members being disposed in side-by-side relation sothat a face of said one said cam portion of said first cam member iscontiguous with a face of said one said cam portion of said second cammember; and h) wherein when each said cam member is in said closedposition, said inner lever portion is configured to mechanicallycooperate with a retaining member disposed on said female conduit andsaid outer lever portion is configured to mechanically cooperate withsaid inner lever portion to prevent unintentional movement of each saidcam member from said closed position to said open position.
 12. The camlock fitting of claim 11, further comprising a pin disposed on each saidlever portion of said first and second cam members, each said pin beingbiased for urging said pin into a locking position to prevent theunintentional movement of said first and second cam members from saidclosed position to said open position.
 13. The cam lock fitting of claim12, wherein said pin on each said inner lever portion engages saidretaining member and said pin on each said outer lever portion engages arear end of said inner lever portion to prevent the unintentionalmovement of said first and second cam members from said closed positionto said open position.
 14. The cam lock fitting of claim 13, furthercomprising a housing for containing said pin disposed on an underside ofeach said lever portion, each said housing having a bore therein whereinsaid pin slides in said bore.
 15. The cam lock fitting of claim 14,wherein each said pull ring member is actuatable by an operator andmechanically cooperating with said pin to allow an operator to move saidpin for moving said first and second cam members from said closedposition to said open position.
 16. A method for an ergonomic cam lockfitting, comprising the steps of: a) providing a male conduit having anend thereon and an external peripheral groove adjacent the end; b)providing a female conduit for receiving the male conduit and having apair of opposed side openings disposed opposite the external peripheralgroove when the male and female conduits are connected to each other; c)sealing between the end of the male conduit and the female conduit; d)providing a first and second pair of cam members, each pair having firstand second cam members, a pair of the cam members being pivotallydisposed on opposite sides of the female conduit, each cam member havinga lever portion and a cam portion, wherein the cam portions pass throughthe side openings and engage the external peripheral groove when thelever portion lies adjacent the female conduit in a closed position,each lever portion being outwardly moveable away from the female conduitto an open position to disengage the cam portions from the externalperipheral groove; e) providing an inner lever portion on each secondcam member and an outer lever portion on each first cam member, andsubstantially aligning the axes of the inner and outer lever portions;f) providing a first pull ring member on each outer lever portion and asecond pull ring member on each inner lever portion for moving the firstand second cam members from the closed position to the open position,wherein the first pull ring member is larger than the second pull ringmember as would be seen in a top view so that the inner lever portion ismore difficult to open than the outer lever portion; g) providing onecam portion on the first and second cam member so that the one camportion of the first and second cam members are disposed in side-by-siderelation so that a face of the one cam portion of the first cam memberis contiguous with a face of the one cam portion of the second cammember; and h) configuring the inner lever portion to mechanicallycooperate with a retaining member provided on the female conduit andconfiguring the outer lever portion to mechanically cooperate with theinner lever portion when the first and second cam members are in theclosed position to prevent unintentional movement of the first andsecond cam members from the closed position to the open position. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a pinon each lever portion of the first and second cam members, each pinbeing biased for urging the pin into locking position to prevent theunintentional movement of the first and second cam members from theclosed position to the open position.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the pin on each inner lever portion engages the retaining memberand the pin on each outer lever portion engages a rear end of the innerlever portion to prevent the unintentional movement of the first andsecond cam members from the closed position to the open position. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing ahousing on an underside of each lever portion for containing the pin,each housing having a bore therein wherein the pin slides in the bore.20. The method of claim 19, wherein each said pull ring member isactuatable by an operator and mechanically cooperating with the pin toallow an operator to move the pin for moving the first and second cammembers from the closed position to the open position.